Chapter 5

The Swordfish seemed to groan its way free of Furnam’s docks, as if laden by the new provisions taken on, including Never’s cinnamon, but the ship was soon picking up speed as the Lower Rinsa rushed toward the mouth of the Hanik Straights. The oars had been drawn in and the sail boomed as the ocean neared – a glittering blast of blue water and reflected sunlight stretching to the horizon’s bounds.

According to Ferne and the Eye, it would be smooth sailing to Kiymako, a voyage of no more than two days, after which Ferne would continue east to deliver goods he’d taken on, the prized cinnamon among them.

And for several days Never had managed to offer the former treasure-hunter only vague hints about his plan, yet now that they’d reached the ocean Ferne had come to the end of his patience as he stomped over to stand beside Never at the rail.

“Before we go too far north, I’d like to hear how you’re going to protect the Swordfish, Never. The whole plan.”

“If you promise not to laugh, I’ll tell you exactly what I have in mind for protecting your ship.”

“Have you ever heard me laugh, Never?”

“Not that I recall.”

“Well, do I seem in a cheerful mood now?”

Now Never chuckled.

“So, speak up.”

“All right, Captain. Ready? The Swordfish is not going to be fired upon because it’s not going to get near enough for that to happen. Once land is in sight, I’ll handle the rest.”

“I’m not wasting a longboat on you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“No. I was thinking I’d fly the rest of the way.”

Ferne opened his mouth to speak but stopped then he folded his arms. “You’re right, Never. That’s not funny. You expect me to believe those rumours from the war?”

“I’d rather not startle everyone aboard but if you doubt me, I can show you – I just need some more room, my cabin’s a little cramped.”

“Never, if this is—”

“It’s no jest. I mean to fly the rest of the way; I won’t need a longboat or anything else, just a share of the spices we agreed upon. You saw some pretty unbelievable things with me in the Amber Isle – is one more impossibility really so hard to accept?”

“It shouldn’t be,” he said with a sigh as he stared out across the waves. “And for now, I’ll take you at your word.”

“Good.”

Ferne straightened, leaning forward a little. Then he turned and shouted up to the crow’s nest. “Ship sighted, south and east.”

The woman spun her eyeglass around and after a moment called back down. “Vadiya colours. Looks like a patrol ship... it’s sailing into the wind, Captain.”

“Watch it, Silvya.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Vadiya’s coastline wasn’t too much further south, so it wasn’t unreasonable to assume the ship was on a routine patrol. A niggling twinge of doubt lingered however, even as the tiny shape began to recede. Was there some other reason for the ship’s appearance in Hanik waters?

Yet he had to place the concern aside; it was groundless.

And as he’d told Elina, so soon after the war, the Vadiya weren’t going to be looking to expand again. There was a slim chance it was Fabiam’s merchant, but in all likelihood it was a patrol only.

By nightfall Never had managed to spend more time on the Kiymako language, and plan a little more of his path once he landed on the enormous island. According to Hanael there were a handful of fishing villages east of Najin where he could probably barter for information. Then, he needed to find the nearest temple or monk to organise a pass – which would probably mean travelling in to Najin anyway, if he could convince them, via his wares, to help.

The other option was to travel alone, sneaking his way into every city.

“It wouldn’t be too difficult to pass the walls,” Hanael said. “They’re wooden, formidable but not unscaleable; it’s more once you’re within. You’ll stand out. Monks will expect to see a pass and if they don’t, you’ll be imprisoned.”

“I might have to do some sneaking then, which would suit me for a time at least, especially if I’m to retrieve your wife’s ring.”

“Then let me tell you a little more about Najin and Shika.”

“The Isansho, the Overlord?”

“Yes. But that’s not quite the correct translation – she does command, but it’s to overlook or watch over. Each region has an Isansho answering directly to the Divine Throne...” he paused with a shrug. “But there’s time for that later. What do you need to know? And in Kiyma, this time.”

“Anything about her as a person could be useful,” Never said, switching languages. “Her routine, guards, likely location of the items she’s stolen – not things a foreign sailor would know, I imagine, even one who gambles with overseers.”

“True enough. It was my Captain that got me to that table, but I am sure she still has Mara’s ring; Lady Shika thinks of herself as a collector. That’s why she accepted my bet; she knew it had value to me.”

“So you’ve said. Anything else?” Never asked.

“The people of Najin consider her to be firm and just, but cold. She’s a warrior but I’ve never seen her without a pair of monks at her side; they’re fast. I have seen one catch an arrow with his hand.”

Never raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“And I wasn’t drinking that night.”

“Her routine?”

“There I’m no help, but there’s a yearly gambling championship in Najin she hosts, and it’s open to anyone who can pass her requirements... but it’s not until midsummer.”

“Well, maybe I need to focus on her dwelling. Did this championship happen within her walls?”

He nodded. “In a courtyard before the main buildings of the Isansho’s mansion.”

“I don’t suppose they let you wander around?”

“No. But the gates open each night to admit the Gathering Monk.”

“Gathering Monk?” There was no special need to use any such gate, since he could simply fly into the compound, but anything he could learn might be useful.

Hanael slapped his stomach. “Right. But, how about I go and see if the lads left anything in the pot first?”

“A grand idea.”

When Hanael returned with two deep bowls of stew they found a spot on deck beneath a lantern, the cool night air carrying the scent of salt with it. It wasn’t until they’d finished half the meal before he continued.

“Remember I said the temples were important to daily life?”

“Yes. That regular people communicate with them almost daily, but you didn’t say why.”

“Well, it’s probably easier for you to see it in action than have me butcher the explanation. Think of it as a religious and a civic act.”

“The people are informing on each other?”

“Not precisely, Never. Like I said, you need to experience it to understand properly – but the reason I’m mentioning it is because the Gathering Monk leaves the mansion to collect important information from the other monks, which he passes on to Shika.”

“Like me.”

“Right. A foreigner running around with or without a pass would be very noteworthy.”

Never took another big mouthful of stew. “Perhaps I’ll be blessed with an invite then?”

“Might be in chains.”

“Or maybe I’ll borrow the Gathering Monk’s robes and see how far I get.”

Hanael dropped his spoon into his bowl with a sigh of satisfaction. “That’d get you killed, my friend.”

“Well, I’ve still got a bit of time to come up with something.”

“Not much if we’re going to expand your vocabulary – it’s all still pretty formal.”

“You said I was a fast learner.”

“Then get ready for a few sprints, Never.”